although I knew ESC existed beforehand my first introduction to ESC was in 1998, a friend who was a big ESC fan hosted a party on the Saturday night, almost a week after the SBS telecast and so we all tried to avoid spoilers all week and it was actually possible back then. Unthinkable to consider that now!
Are this yearâs Semi finals decided on the public vote alone? That makes me worry about Voyager getting through. The public vote isnât often kind to us.
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Yes. Thatâs what they said.
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I agree - fair enough to have commentary over the postcards to announce the acts and during the voting but over the hosts is ridiculous. Itâs my biggest complaint about the BBC - theyâve made a big deal about having a Ukrainian host and three female hosts then hired two men to talk over them during the semi-final. I get there is the odd bit of clarification around voting but most of it is completely unnecessary, and even the talking over the French language segments is just rude - they shouldnât assume because the hosts arenât speaking English the viewers donât want to hear them. Indeed I miss it being much more of a bilingual affair.
Yes they are. I am not worried at all, the crowd reaction to Voyager and their performance has been very positive. Either them or Austria are my picks to win the semfinal. Australia has not fared at all that bad in the televote in the semifinals, we have never been lower than 8th in the televote apart from 2017 and 2021.
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has his request to address the audience during the grand final rejected by organisers.
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Good, he doesnât need to be everywhere and the less politics in Eurovision the better
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Great to see Voyager through. It was a very solid performance in my opinion. And the song stands out from the others so I hope it does well. I love the UK song but the live performance was pretty weak, I donât think sheâll do that well unless she improves for the final - a lot! The Finnish song is really growing on me. I actually think itâs got a good chance to upset Sweden. I think France should do well too, I like the song a lot.
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Perth synth-metal band Voyager promised and delivered, as Australia progresses to the Grand Final of this yearâs Eurovision Song Contest
Donât miss their electrifying performance Sunday 14 May LIVE at 5am AEST and in prime time at 7:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand
Australiaâs Voyager has been voted through Semi Final 2 of the Eurovision Song Contest and will compete for Australia in the Grand Final on Saturday 13 May BST, which airs on Sunday 14 May LIVE at 5am AEST or 7:30pm AEST in prime time on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Overnight in Liverpool, UK, Perth synth-metal band Voyager electrified audiences near and far with their epic, progressive pop metal track Promise, tearing the roof off Pier Head arena. Dressed head-to-toe in custom synthsational sequined outfits by Perth-based label Zhivago, with â80s staging made complete by a Toyota MR2 â and whatâs fast-becoming their trademark â the keytar, Voyagerâs powerful live act was fully realised on the Eurovision stage when they proved their place in the song contest being one of 10 artists voted through to the Grand Final.
Voyager said: âWeâre absolutely ecstatic to be representing our beautiful country of Australia as we power through to the Grand Final. The good will from back home and love from our fans worldwide really helped us put on the performance of our lives tonight, and now weâre even more energized to smash it in the Grand Final.â
Australian Head of Delegation and SBS Commissioning Editor, Emily Griggs, said: âItâs been clear from Semi Final 2 that Voyager love performing to a crowd, and the crowd love them right back. They are truly electric on stage and their performance was thrilling. Watching them through the Eurovision lead up has been so fun, they have embraced every interview, photo opportunity, selfie and rehearsal with humour and generosity. Itâs a big weekend of Eurovision ahead and Iâm sure the whole country will get behind Voyager this Sunday on SBS and SBS on Demand.â
Australian Creative Director of Eurovision and Director of Blink TV, Paul Clarke, said: âThe sound of the Liverpool arena going wild for Voyager really touches your heart. They have worked so hard and the whole city has fallen in love with them. Good to see all of Europe is loving them too. Theyâre truly one of our best ever Eurovision performers. Now for the Grand Final â letâs see how far we can take it!â
Only 10 artists from the 16 countries performing in Semi Final 2 proceed to the Grand Final. The 10 countries voted through are: Armenia, Estonia, Belgium, Poland, Slovenia, Austria, Albania, Lithuania, and Cyprus represented by fellow Aussie Andrew Lambrou.
They will join the 10 countries already voted through from Semi Final 1: Croatia, Czechia, Israel, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, and favourites Swedenâs Loreen with her Eurovision comeback track Tattoo, and Finlandâs KÀÀrijĂ€ with Cha Cha Cha, along with the big five: Spain, UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Ukraine, to compete in the Grand Final for the title of Eurovision Song Contest 2023 winner.
If you missed Voyagerâs qualifying performance LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand this morning, tune into the prime time broadcast tomorrow night, Saturday 13 May at 7:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
The Grand Final of this yearâs Eurovision Song Contest is held on Saturday 13 May BST and is broadcast Sunday 14 May LIVE at 5am AEST and in prime time at 7:30pm AEST on SBS and SBS on Demand.
Australians need to tune into this broadcast to cast their vote at the same time as European audiences.
SBSâs exclusive coverage is once again in the capable hands of music buff Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey who bring their witty banter to the commentary booth as they guide Australia through the glitz, glamour, and madness of Eurovision from Pier Head in Liverpool, UK.
Make sure you join in the conversation during the prime time broadcast using the hashtag #SBSEurovision, with tweets and party pictures promoted on screen, where you can not only catch all the performances, but also experience exclusive behind the scenes content, as Myf & Joel report from backstage with interviews and gossip with contestants, and more.
LIVE early morning broadcasts on SBS and SBS On Demand
Grand Final â Sunday 14 May at 5:00am AEST ** FEATURING VOYAGER**
Prime time broadcasts on SBS and SBS On Demand
Semi Final 2 â Saturday 13 May at 7:30pm AEST ** FEATURING VOYAGER**
Grand Final â Sunday 14 May at 7:30pm AEST ** FEATURING VOYAGER**
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After 30 years, Luxembourg will be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024.
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This detail from the Dress Rehearsal occuring right now being blogged by a Eurovision fan site probably explains whatâs going to happen:
Alesha now goes to the Australian commentary box with âMyfâ and âJoelâ talking about how much Australia loves Eurovision.
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Up at 5am and my gosh will Myf and Joel stfu. Talking uselessly over the musical intro, which would have been nice to hear. This is why i say commentary is superfluous.
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I seriously donât get the popularity of the Swedish song this yearâŠ
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I donât mind the song but i donât think itâs a winner. (And Iâll be ready to edit this post if it turns out Sweden wins)
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If it wins Iâll be completely baffled. I think the song is mediocre and if it wasnât her it wouldnât even be rated a chance.
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Itâs time!!